Receiver assembly with brush bar

ABSTRACT

A receiver assembly includes a central frame member including a hitch receiver box, a pair of mounting brackets carried on the central frame member, a pair of accessory receivers carried on said central frame member and a vehicle body guard mounted in the pair of accessory receivers. The vehicle body guard is a continuous tube shaped so as to project above the hitch receiver box so as not to interfere with hitch bar or draw bar connection in that box.

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/243,386 filed on Oct. 26, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to receiver assemblies and, moreparticularly, to a receiver assembly incorporating a pair of accessoryports that receive and hold a brush bar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has long been known to construct towing hitches that are mounted tovehicles in order to allow the towing of trailers or the like. In recentyears such hitches have been designed to include a receiver box having arearwardly directed opening or cavity for the receipt of a hitch or drawbar that carries a hitch ball or other means allowing connection to atrailer. Examples of such a structure include the Insta-Hitch II andCustom Hitch Receiver 35365 as manufactured by Reese Products, Inc. ofElkhart, Ind. Such a hitch receiver is also disclosed in, for example,U.S. Pat. No. 3,768,837 to Reese.

Recent efforts to enhance the versatility of a hitch receiver have ledto development of various accessories (e.g., both open and closedarticle carriers, bike racks, ski racks, tables, winches or otherequipment) mounted by means of an accessory mounting bar or lug in thereceiver box of a trailer hitch receiver assembly. Because of theirconvenience and suitability to the particular applications/interests ofthe user, such accessories have become very popular.

In order to allow for or accommodate trailer towing and accessorymounting simultaneously, a trailer hitch-assembly with both a trailerhitch receiver and towing accessory receivers has been recentlydeveloped and is the subject of, for example, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/194,502, filed Apr. 3, 2000 and No.60/243,486, filed Oct. 26, 2000. This new receiver assembly includes acentral frame member, a mounting bracket carried on each end of thecentral frame member for securing the central frame member to thevehicle, a hitch receiver box carried on the central frame member and atleast one accessory receiver for receiving and holding a recreationaland/or utilitarian accessory.

The present invention relates to such a receiver assembly incorporatinga brush bar for protecting the bumper and bodywork of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as describedherein, an improved receiver assembly is provided. The receiver assemblyincludes a central frame member that may optionally include a hitchreceiver box for receiving a hitch bar or draw bar for towing a trailer.The receiver assembly also includes a pair of mounting brackets carriedon the central frame member that allow the receiver assembly to besecured to the frame of the towing vehicle. Additionally, the receiverassembly includes a pair of accessory receivers that are carried on thecentral frame member. Each of the receivers projects from the centralframe member so as to be easily accessible.

Still further, the receiver assembly includes a vehicle body guardmounted in the pair of accessory receivers. This vehicle body guard orbrush bar functions to protect the bumper and body work of the vehiclewhile advantageously maintaining the necessary clearance to allow thefree and unfettered use of the hitch receiver box. Accordingly, thevehicle body guard or brush bar may be used even when a hitch bar ordraw bar is connected in the hitch receiver box to allow the towing of atrailer.

In accordance with one particular embodiment of the present inventionthe vehicle body guard or brush bar is a continuous tube which extendsbetween the pair of accessory receivers. That tube is shaped so as toproject above the hitch receiver box so that the guard can function toprotect the body work of the vehicle when, for example, backing thevehicle toward the trailer in order to complete the hitch connectionwith the towing ball carried on the hitch bar/draw bar.

In one possible embodiment the pair of accessory receivers are providedwith one port carried on the central frame member between each of themounting brackets and the hitch receiver box. The hitch receiver box hasa longitudinal axis extending in a first plane A and each accessoryreceiver has a second longitudinal axis extending in a second plane B,the planes A and B defining an included angle of from about 10° to about30° and more specifically, for example, 20°. As will be described ingreater detail below, the relative orientation of the accessoryreceivers with respect to the central frame member, the hitch receiverbox and the towing vehicle to which the assembly is mounted insures easeof accessory alignment and mounting for the benefit and satisfaction ofthe user.

In another possible embodiment the vehicle body guard includes an outerprotective sleeve which protects the surface finish of the guard. Thesleeve may include an aesthetically pleasing relief feature, ellipticalrecess or opening if desired.

Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in this art from the following description wherein thereis shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, simplyby way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out theinvention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of otherdifferent embodiments and its several details are capable ofmodification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from theinvention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regardedas illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of thespecification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the receiver assembly of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1a is a side elevational view of the receiver assembly of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 2a-2 b are respective front and left side elevational views of thevehicle body guard or brush bar that is secured in the accessoryreceivers of the receiver assembly shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodimentof the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 showing a receiver assembly 10. Thereceiver assembly 10 includes a central frame member or cross member 12preferably formed from a pair of tubular steel sections 14 welded to theside wall 16 of a centrally located receiver box 18 so as to projectoutwardly in opposing directions. The tubular steel sections 14 may beformed with a round cross section as shown in the drawing figures, asquare cross section or any other appropriate shape providing thenecessary strength to function as a receiver assembly.

The receiver box 18 includes a reinforced lip 20 defining an openingleading to a hitch bar receiving cavity 22. Aligned apertures 24 in theopposing side walls 16 of the receiver box 18 allow the secureconnection of a hitch bar in the receiver box in a manner well known inthe art by means of a connecting pin and cooperating pin clip (notshown). A chain plate 26 of steel material is welded to the receiver box18 and tubular steel sections 14 in order to strengthen the connection.As is know in the art, chain plate 26 includes two apertures 28. Thesafety chains of a trailer may be connected to the chain plate 26through engagement in these apertures 28.

Vehicle mounting brackets 30 are mounted adjacent the distal end of eachtubular section 14. More specifically, the brackets 30 are welded to thetubular sections 14 in order to complete the connection. The mountingbrackets 30 each include a mounting flange 34 with apertures 38. Nut andbolt fasteners (not shown) are extended through these apertures 38 andcooperating apertures drilled in the frame of the towing vehicle inorder to mount the receiver assembly 10 thereto.

As also shown in FIG. 1, the receiver assembly 10 incorporates a pair ofaccessory receivers 40 carried on the tubular sections 14 of the centralframe member 12. Each of the accessory receivers 40 is formed from asteel tube that is welded to a mounting bracket 42 that is, in turn,welded to one of the tubular sections 14 so that one accessory receiveris positioned between the receiver box 18 and each mounting bracket 30.

As shown, each accessory receiver 40 includes a circular port or opening44 and cooperating aligned apertures 46 in the sidewall thereof to allowsecure connection of a vehicle body guard or brush bar 50 by means of aconnecting pin and pin clip of a type well known in the art such asutilized to secure the hitch bar in the receiver box 18.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2a-2 b, the vehicle bodyguard or brush bar 50 includes a pair of mounting ends 52 and anintermediate body section 53 in the form of a continuous tube extendingbetween the two receivers 40 into which it is mounted. The vehicle bodyguard/brush bar 50 is shaped so as to project above the hitch receiverbox 18 providing the necessary clearance to allow the cavity 22 toremain open for the receipt of a hitch bar or draw bar. As such, thevehicle body guard/brush bar 50 may be used without interfering withtrailer towing. In fact, the guard/bar 50 conveniently protects the rearbumper and body panels of the towing vehicle when connecting anddisconnecting the trailer.

In use, each of the accessory receivers 40 is oriented with respect tothe central frame member 12, receiver box 18 and the towing vehicle uponwhich the assembly 10 is mounted so as to be readily accessible by thetowing vehicle operator. More specifically, the hitch receiver box 18has a longitudinal axis extending in a first plane A and each accessoryreceiver 40 has a longitudinal axis extending in a second plane B (seeFIG. 1a). The planes A and B define an included angle of from about 10°to about 30° and more specifically, for example, 20°.

The manner in which the structural arrangement of the accessoryreceivers 40 benefits the user when attempting to attach a recreationaland utilitarian accessory will now be more completely explained. Whenthe receiver assembly 10 is mounted to the frame of a towing vehicle,the sections 14 of the central frame member 12 are positioned directlyunder the bumper of the vehicle. Both the receiver box 18 and theaccessory receivers 40 project rearwardly from the sections 14 adistance D so as to extend to or beyond the rearmost edge of the bumper.Additionally, the accessory receivers 40 project upwardly at an acuteangle of, for example, from about 10° to about 30° or even about 20°with respect to the receiver box 18 and the horizontal. Thus, thecircular ports or openings 44 of the accessory receivers 40 are bothreadily visible and accessible.

Due to this fact, it is relatively easy for the user to engage theopenings 44 of the accessory receivers 40 with the mounting ends 52 ofthe vehicle body guard or brush bar 50. At this point, the circularshape of the accessory receivers 40 and cooperating mounting ends 52further insure ease of connection. Specifically, since the ends 52 andreceivers 40 are both round, they present continuous, uninterruptedmating sidewalls. Accordingly, it is not necessary to index the mountingends 52 in any way to insure proper geometry for mating; simplealignment is all that is necessary. Additionally, the mounting ends 52may be flexed slightly in virtually any direction during mating as anadditional aid when making the connection.

Once properly aligned, the mounting ends 52 slide readily into thereceivers 40. When fully seated, cross apertures 54 in the ends 52 arein alignment with the apertures 44. A connecting pin (not shown) is thenpositioned in these apertures and a pin clip (not shown) is used tosecure the pin in position. One such cooperating connecting pin and pinclip is used to secure each mounting end 52 in each receiver 40. Theresulting two point connection through the receivers 40 dramaticallyincreases the stability of the connection between the vehicle body guardor brush bar 50 and the vehicle. Of course, the vehicle body guard/brushbar 50 may be easily removed by removing the pin clips and connectingpins and pulling the ends 52 from the receivers 40.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3.The alternative embodiment of FIG. 3 is identical to the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2a-2 b except for the provision of aprotective outer sleeve 60 received over the central or intermediateportion of the body guard/brush bar 50 between the ends 52. The sleeve60 may be made of rubber, plastic or other surface finish protectingmaterial. The sleeve 60 incorporates an aesthetically pleasingelliptical recess or opening 62 while protecting the surface finish ofthe body guard/brush bar 50 from bumps and nicks.

In either embodiment of the body guard/brush bar, it should beappreciated that the ends 52 each form an included obtuse angle E in avertical plane of between, for example, from about 1000 to about 1200(e.g. 110°) with the intermediate body section 53. In this way, the bodyguard/brush bar 50 is properly oriented when mounted in the upwardlyangled accessory receivers 40 carried on the receiver assembly 10. Inthe illustrated embodiment the portions of the intermediate body section53 adjacent the ends 52 are converging (see FIG. 2a). It should,however, be appreciated that they could just as easily be parallel ordiverging if desired for a particular aesthetic purpose or actualapplication.

The foregoing description of two possible embodiments of the inventionhas been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible inlight of the above teachings. For example, the ends 52 of the vehiclebody guard/brush bar 50 may be secured in a T-shaped adapter having amounting bar adapted for securing in the hitch receiver box 18.Alternatively, the receiver assembly 10 might comprise a single piececross member 12 with or without a receiver box 18 but otherwise remainunchanged.

The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the bestillustration of the principles of the invention and its practicalapplication to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art toutilize the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All suchmodifications and variations are within the scope of the invention asdetermined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance withthe breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A receiver assembly for a vehicle, comprising: acentral frame member including a hitch receiver box having a firstlongitudinal axis extending in a first plane A; a pair of mountingbrackets carried on said central frame member; a pair of accessoryreceivers carried on said central frame member, each receiver of saidpair of accessory receivers projecting from said central frame memberand having a second longitudinal axis extending upwardly in a secondplane B; and a vehicle body guard mounted in said pair of accessoryreceivers.
 2. The receiver assembly of claim 1, wherein said hitchreceiver box remains open for receipt of a hitch bar/draw bar when saidvehicle body guard is mounted in said pair of accessory receivers. 3.The receiver assembly of claim 1, wherein said vehicle body guard is acontinuous tube extending between said pair of accessory receivers. 4.The receiver assembly of claim 1, wherein said vehicle body guard is acontinuous tube extending between said pair of accessory receivers andshaped so as to project above said hitch receiver box.
 5. The receiverassembly of claim 1, wherein one receiver of said pair of accessoryreceivers is carried on said central frame member between each of saidmounting brackets and said hitch receiver box.
 6. The receiver assemblyof claim 5, wherein said hitch receiver box has a first longitudinalaxis extending in a first plane A and each receiver of said accessoryreceivers has a second longitudinal axis extending in a second plane B,said planes A and B defining an included angle of from about 10° toabout 30°.
 7. The receiver assembly of claim 5, wherein said hitchreceiver box has a first longitudinal axis extending in a first plane Aand each receiver of said accessory receivers has a second longitudinalaxis extending upwardly in a second plane B, said planes A and Bdefining an included angle of approximately 20°.
 8. The receiverassembly of claim 5, wherein said hitch receiver box and said pair ofaccessory receivers project rearwardly from said central frame member adistance D.
 9. A receiver assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a centralframe member; a pair of mounting brackets carried on said central framemember; a pair of accessory receivers carried on said central framemember, each receiver of said pair of accessory receivers projectingfrom said central frame member and having a longitudinal axis extendingupwardly from a horizontal plane; and a vehicle body guard mounted insaid pair of accessory receivers.
 10. The receiver assembly of claim 9,wherein said vehicle body guard is a continuous tube extending betweensaid pair of accessory receivers.
 11. The receiver assembly of claim 9,wherein one receiver of said pair of accessory receivers is carried onsaid central frame member between each of said mounting brackets andsaid hitch receiver box.
 12. The receiver assembly of claim 9, whereinsaid longitudinal axis of each receiver of said accessory receiversdefines an included angle of from about 10° to about 30° with thehorizontal plane.
 13. The receiver assembly of claim 12, wherein saidincluded angle is approximately 20°.
 14. A vehicle body guard for areceiver assembly, comprising a pair of mounting ends carried on anintermediate body section, each of said mounting ends defining anincluded obtuse angle with said intermediate body section.
 15. Thevehicle body guard of claim 14, wherein said obtuse angle is from about100° to about 120°.
 16. The vehicle body guard of claim 14, wherein saidobtuse angle is about 110°.
 17. The vehicle body guard of claim 14,wherein said vehicle body guard is a continuous tube.
 18. A receiverassembly for a vehicle, comprising: a central frame member including ahitch receiver box; a pair of mounting brackets carried on said centralframe member; a pair of accessory receivers carried on said centralframe member, each receiver of said pair of accessory receiversprojecting from said central frame member; and a vehicle body guardmounted in said pair of accessory receivers, said vehicle body guardincluding a protective sleeve covering a portion of said vehicle bodyguard.
 19. The receiver assembly of claim 9, wherein said protectivesleeve includes an elliptical opening.
 20. A receiver assembly for avehicle, comprising: a central frame member; a pair of mounting bracketscarried on said central frame member; a pair of accessory receiverscarried on said central frame member, each receiver of said pair ofaccessory receivers projecting from said central frame member; and avehicle body guard mounted in said pair of accessory receivers saidvehicle body guard including a protective sleeve covering a portion ofsaid vehicle body guard.
 21. The receiver assembly of claim 20, whereinsaid protective sleeve includes an elliptical opening.